A Manitoba horse exporter has been found to exceed the legal 28-hour limit for transporting horses to Japan for slaughter without food, water, and rest. Despite attempts to change practices by splitting up the journey with an overnight stop, animal welfare experts warn that this may actually increase the stress and suffering of the horses.

Recent shipments of live horses from Manitoba to Japan have continued despite evidence of violations of the legal time limit for transport. The exporter has implemented a new practice of resting the horses overnight closer to the airport before the long flight, but experts believe this may not actually improve the welfare of the animals and could further disrupt their behavior and increase stress.

Animal welfare advocates are calling for an end to live horse exports, citing the suffering and cruelty involved in the transportation process. Despite promises from the government to ban live horse exports, the practice continues, with a bill to outlaw it stalled in the Senate. Nearly 80% of Canadians support ending the export of horses for slaughter.